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Restaurant industry survey shows dramatic workforce struggles

September 3, 2021

The Delaware Restaurant Association has released the results of a recent hospitality industry survey conducted to assess the challenges and opportunities facing the industry approximately three months after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

Despite anecdotal stories of industry recovery, the data makes it clear that the industry still faces significant challenges tied to its workforce, inflationary pressures and the re-emergence of COVID-19 variants.

“While Delawareans and tourists alike have proven eager to return to a life that includes travel and restaurant dining this summer, it has become clear that the nature and speed of this return has placed enormous pressure on the industry and its supply chain,” said Carrie Leishman, DRA president and CEO. “Restaurant operators are trying to meet consumer demand that exceeds 2019 with 6,000 fewer workers, and skyrocketing labor and commodity prices. Workers are exhausted, and profit margins are thin for many despite the resurgent demand.”

Survey highlights include that 87 percent of hospitality industry respondents are operating with inadequate staffing to meet consumer demand; nearly eight in 10 respondents with a staffing shortfall are operating at a staffing deficit of over 20 percent; 80 percent of restaurant operators reported closing or modifying hours of operation as a direct result of inadequate staffing levels; 100 percent of restaurant respondents have increased wages in 2021, with 55 percent increasing wages by more than 10 percent this year; and 100 percent reported inflation of commodities this year, with 66 percent reporting price increases greater than 10 percent. The greatest price increases were reported on crabmeat, chicken wings, beef and paper/to-go products.

In addition to the DRA survey findings in Delaware, the National Restaurant Association has also released a national survey of customers to assess dining trends and consumer confidence amid the rise of the coronavirus Delta variant. The survey found that 6 in 10 adults changed their restaurant usage as a result of the Delta variant, which is beginning to again put acute pressure on the restaurant industry. Respondents report canceling existing plans to go out to a restaurant in recent weeks, or opting out of indoor dining in favor of restaurant takeout or delivery services.

“This is an industry that requires a full house to make a profit,” said Leishman. “These changes indicate declining consumer confidence that will make it more difficult for restaurant owners to maintain their delicate financial stability as we enter a season fraught with the possibility of persistent COVID-19 challenges. Add in an exhausted workforce and rampant inflationary pressures, and the struggles this industry has faced for months will only continue, threatening more restaurants to permanently close their doors. Replenishing the RRF and prioritizing relief efforts and support of the restaurant workforce must remain a top priority for our local legislators and members of Congress.”

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund served as a lifeline for many restaurant owners, but an initial round of funding was quickly depleted, leaving roughly two-thirds of applicants nationwide approved but not processed for payment. Over $67 million in RRF grants were awarded to Delaware restaurant operators, but this represents only 37 percent of Delaware applicants; the rest remain in limbo waiting to find out if Congress will act to provide the stability they need to make it through this new pandemic threat and into the future.The small gains the industry has made toward financial security are in danger of being wiped out, dashing the hopes of communities, entrepreneurs and consumers nationwide.

The industry operations survey was conducted Aug. 20-23 by the DRA and included over 100 responses from Delaware restaurant owners and operators representing approximately 300 locations statewide. Both DRA members and nonmembers were presented the opportunity to complete the survey, and provide operational and industry insights.

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